An expert busts myths about natural perfume

When it comes to natural perfume, myths and facts can often get muddled up. You hear a lot of rumours questioning how natural perfumes can really be and whether it's just the same as using aromatherapy essential oils. These ideas are why we’ve enlisted the help of an expert to help us navigate the world of natural perfume.

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Melissa Allen, the founder of natural fragrance brand Melissa Allen Mood Essentials™, is helping us set the myths and facts about natural fragrances straight. Plus, she explains why you should consider adding a natural scent to your fragrance collection.

What are natural fragrances?

Natural fragrances are compositions of raw ingredients. “To enable them to be classified as natural, we need to use natural ingredients and essential oils are a perfect formula. In my opinion, essential oils are the best ingredient to create a fragrance that is powerful enough to emit a scent. There are a lot of natural ingredients that are used in the beauty industry, however, to get the best scent from these ingredients they usually need to be formulated into an oil that allows for maximum impact and a fragrance that you can smell,” says Melissa. She explains that the go-to essential oils are usually lavender, bergamot and orange oil. “Natural fragrances sometimes also consist of things like exudates (resins, extracts and concentrates) which help with the formula, shelf life and efficacy.”

Why should you consider a natural fragrance?

“Natural fragrances not only smell great but also have the extra benefit of helping you feel great too,” Melissa explains. “Given that natural fragrances are made from plant based ingredients like flowers and essential oils and are free from hidden nasties, they are a great option!”

What should you do if you’re considering swapping some or all of your perfumes to natural ones?

“There are some great online sites that sell only natural beauty products and they can be a great resource to understand if they’ll work for you,” says Melissa. She also recommends looking out for websites with customer reviews (aren’t they the best?!) because it can help you understand the products better.

And if you’re looking for where to purchase natural perfumes? Melissa suggests boutique style stores as a starting point. “Unfortunately, the bigger stores and department stores stock mainly non-natural fragrances but I’m sure in time they will catch up as the consumer demand continues to grow,” says Melissa.

Myths and facts

MYTH: Natural fragrances don’t work

Melissa says that this is the biggest misconception about natural perfume. Spoiler alert: they do work. “Unfortunately, the word ‘natural’ often has a bad stigma attached to it in that people often think you need chemicals for something to do its job,” Melissa says. “However, that isn’t true. With a lot of research and testing we’ve been able to create formulas that do smell great and work wonderfully on their own or even work well with other fragrances.”

FACT: Natural fragrances don’t last as long as non-natural fragrances

It’s sad but true. “Unfortunately, natural fragrances don’t last as long as non-natural fragrances,” Melissa explains. “However, they are a great option if you’re looking for something fresh and different. I carry my Melissa Allen Mood Essentials™ travel sized fragrances around in my handbag so I can spray them whenever I feel like a boost.”

Keep an eye out for mini natural fragrances you can carry for on-the-go touch-ups. beautyheaven loves the Jurlique Essence of Rose Roll-On Fragrance Oil and One Seed Bohemia roll-on perfume oil (8mL, $55, oneseedperfumes.com).

MYTH: Natural, organic, chemical-free and non-toxic fragrances are basically the same things

They’re not the same. So depending on what kind of fragrance you’re after, it’s important you do your research. "Consumers often get confused with package labelling and it’s no wonder as there is so much information out there,” Melissa says. “To put it a little simply, natural fragrances are compositions of raw ingredients such as essential oils, along with exudates such as resins, extracts and concentrates. Organic fragrances are made up of 100% naturally sourced ingredients that are extracted without any chemical intervention. Non-toxic fragrances are ones that [are] void of any chemicals but may still contain other ingredients that render them not natural or organic and chemical-free are just that (similar to non-toxic).”

MYTH: Natural perfumes are ingestible

Do. Not. Ingest. Natural. Perfume. “The other myth might be that because it’s natural that you can ingest it – which also isn’t true! Yes, some essential oils are made to ingest (and you would have to research the ones that can be ingested) however essential oils in fragrance are not!” Melissa warns.

Looking for a new natural perfume? beautyheaven loves the Melissa Allen Mood Essentials™ I Have Joy Mood Essential™ (50mL, $47.95, melissaallenmoodessentials.com) and ime natural perfume euterpe fragrance  (30mL, $69.95, ime-natural-perfume.com.au).

Did you know these myths and facts about natural perfume? Do you wear any natural perfumes?